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Apitz puts 50 years of photography into FOCUS

A month after closing his printing business, Rick Apitz is still trying to figure out what it means to be retire after nearly 50 years of being self employed. For five decades, Apitz ran a photography studio and printing business in New Ulm. For a time he even owned a frame gallery. On June ...

Replicated East Asian furniture has distinctive style

In design, imitation often leads to innovation. Trying to recreate something you’ve seen others make can take some out-of-the-box thinking to find substitutes for inaccessible materials or fill in the gaps of unknown steps. Antique furniture is filled with examples, especially when foreign influence is involved. By the 18th century, trade with East Asia brought new ideas for furniture, like the use of bamboo and lacquer, to Europe, and subsequently to America. Inspired by these new styles, and motivated by the need for inexpensive accessible versions, Western artisans created ...

Ceramic charger fits into art nouveau movement

With its soft colors, flower motifs and asymmetrical twining lines, this ceramic charger, made circa 1900, fits right into the art nouveau movement. However, when it sold for $2,500 at Auctions at Showplace, it was described as “Jugendstil.” German for “young style,” named after the ...

The dog days of summer

Did you know the term “Dog Days” refers to the heat and humidity of the mid-summer months of July and August here in the Northern Hemisphere? Most sources agree that Dog Days occur in mid-to-late summer but the exact dates can vary from source to source because they are tied to the dawn rising of the star Sirius, also known as the Dog star, and they change over time. The Old Farmer’s Almanac considers the Dog Days to begin on July 3 and end on August 11, which is typically the worst of the summer’s heat. I always picture a dog laying out on the front porch or on cold tiles of the ...

Marti siblings take the same photo 67 years apart

NEW ULM – What started as a Christmas card became a tradition that spans 67 years and 18 photos. Mary (Marti) Borstad, Carolyn Marti Smith, Steve Marti, Jean (Marti) Wenk, Sue Marti, Joe Marti, and Mike Marti were kids when the first photo was taken, as a Christmas card to be given to ...

Library partnerships

Summer is going by quickly, and the library has had some great events as part of our annual children’s Summer Reading Program, along with some exciting events for adults. We’re very grateful for the opportunity we have to connect with individuals and organizations in our area to bring services and activities to our community. As a community gathering place, the library is uniquely placed to be able to bring together resources and opportunities provided by a wide variety of partners. Some of the most important partnerships we have are with other libraries! The Traverse des Sioux ...